Article by Honeyholics- published Friday 3rd March 2023
Superbugs, or bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, are a growing threat to global health. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 2 million people contract infections each year from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The rate of resistance is alarming, as each year more and more bacteria become resistant to existing antibiotics. As a result, researchers have been working on a number of strategies to combat the spread of superbugs.
One of the most promising strategies is the use of medical grade honey as an alternative or complimentary treatment to antibiotics. Research Scientists such as Dr Nural Cokcetin from the University of Technology Sydney, who specialises in microbiology, believes that antibiotic resistance can be slowed down or reversed by increasing the usage of honey as a topical treatment of skin infections and wounds. Another prominent Biologist and Scientist Dr Gloria Montenegro from the Catholic University of Chile, discovered the capacity of the Ulmo honey native to Chile, was proficient in fighting and inhibiting the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as E.Coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus .
Studies have found that honey is able to stop the growth of some of the most dangerous superbugs, including MRSA and E. coli. As a result, medical grade honey may represent an effective alternative or complimentary treatment to traditional antibiotics. When used as an alternative to antibiotics, medical grade honey has been found to be effective in treating a variety of bacterial infections. Certain types of raw, bioactive honeys such as the Ulmo, contain high amounts of activity, primarily due to its content of active phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide – a natural antimicrobial found in raw honey. The low moisture content and low pH of the honey also contribute to such effects, limiting bacteria spread and reducing bacteria numbers.
Medical grade honey has been found to be effective in treating a number of bacterial infections. It has been shown to be effective in treating both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and has been found to be effective in treating a number of common illnesses. In addition, the honey has been found to be effective in treating a variety of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, ulcers and other inflammatory skin diseases.
At this time, the research into the effectiveness of medical grade honey in treating superbugs is still in its infancy, however, the evidence is promising, and further research into the use of medical grade honey in treating superbugs is warranted.
In conclusion, further research is needed to determine the full effectiveness of medical grade honey in treating superbugs, but the evidence so far is promising. It would seem that now more than ever, there is a common consensus amongst scientists to look further into the use of honey to treat infections caused by superbugs.
